In the early 1600s, Persian cats were brought from Persia to Europe. The long-haired beauties were given names derived from their assumed origin and were instantly appreciated for their unusual appearance.
As an animal lover, Queen Victoria had a special place in her heart for Persian cats. She owned several Persian cats, which added to the breed's reputation for grace, refinement, and nobility.
In 1871, the first-ever organised cat show took place at London's Crystal Palace, featuring Persian cats. Over 20,000 people attended the event to see a Persian kitten take home the "Best in Show" title.
The first purebred Persian cats came to the United States in about 1875, making Persian cats one of the first pedigreed breeds. One of the first cats to be registered when the Cat Fanciers' Association was established in America in 1906 was a Persian.
Over the years, a number of well-known paintings have brought in enormous sums of money, but none are as rare as "My Wife's Lovers," which depicts 42 Persians. It took three years to finish the painting.
Although Persian cats have never had a notably flat face, a genetic abnormality in the 1950s produced a litter of kittens with those coiled features. The Persian exhibition cat's "peke-faced" appearance was achieved by selective breeding.
Not all Persian cats are like the clichéd white ones. The fancy breed has a variety of hues and tones. It's highly likely that you can locate a Persian cat in the colour of your choice, ranging from orange and grey to black and white, chocolate.
Persian cats are renowned for having long, thick fur, and as such, they require frequent brushing and deshedding. You'll be left with a knotted mess if not. Many owners feel that keeping the long coat under control is easier when it is trimmed.